Best Dog House for Winter: A Trusted Winter Home for Your Furry Best Friend

The winter is a time of the year that is hated by many and our trusted Canine friends share this dislike. Keeping your dog inside is always an option, but eventually, they will miss the outdoors and do their business. This is where the best dog house for winter can keep your dog insulted during the day.

Since there are so many options to choose from, it can be daunting to get the right dog house. That is why we have done all the research and made the choices simple for you.

We will show you exactly which features you need to take into consideration and which products we would recommend you try to start out with. No matter which one of these you choose, you can rest assured that you will get great value for your money and your dog will certainly stay warm during Winter time.

Things to consider before buying

Buying a dog house might seem easy, but there are a few things you need to look for to ensure that not only are you satisfied but that your dog will actually use it. With so many pet brands, one could easily get lost in the mix of the marketing. However, these features will enable you to not only make the right decision but the smart decision as well.

Size

Size might be a common thing everyone knows about, but it certainly is one of the most important. Buying one that is too small will definitely not work and if you do purchase one that is oversized, your dog might not feel as insulated when inside. Checking the dimensions will give you a general idea of the size and you could use this to measure whether or not it will be perfect for your dog.

The size of the dog house also relates to the amount of space you have in your yard. The doghouse should sit in the yard without obstructing your lawn and all the hard work you have put into your garden.

Lastly, if you plan to use it indoors, you will also need the dimensions to ensure you have space inside your home. The dog house should be the perfect combination that allows you to use it indoors, without sacrificing size and comfort for your dog.

Materials

Not all dog houses are made from the same materials and you will find them in either wood or plastic. The metal dog houses are referred to as dog boxes and these are generally used to transport the dogs and keep them from getting out.

Plastic is the most common material used for dog houses and it is much cheaper than wood. The plastic is also cheaper and should be easier to move thanks to the lightweight. Plastic houses won’t rot and there are no places for fleas to hide. You also save a ton of money on refurbishing costs.

The wooden dog houses are great for dogs in the winter. Yes, we understand they do require maintenance, but they offer much more protection from the elements. These houses are a little more expensive and heavier, but they should keep your dog warm on the inside.

Doorway or door

Unlike people, dogs have no issues ducking underneath the top end to get inside. There are generally two things that you need to keep in mind when looking at the doorway. The first one is that the doorway should be no lower than ¾ of the dog’s shoulder to ground height and the second rule states that the doorway should at least be one inch greater than the distance from the dog’s shoulder to the ground.

For the winter, you will also like to keep the door as small as possible to ensure not cold can get inside. This will keep the dog warm and insulted inside and if you add a few blankets, the heat retention will be that much better. A smaller door also means that the snow will have less place to get inside and spoil the dog’s blankets.

Roof Type

The roof type is also quite important and you will need to decide between a sloped or pitched roof. For the winter, the pitched roof might be the better option and there will be fewer chances of snow getting piled on top, but the sloped roof is also ideal and eventually, the water will run down as it starts to melt.

A roof cover is also quite essential and having one will certainly keep your dog, even more, protected. There are various roof covers you could choose from and these include metal, asphalt or different woods. Each one of them will add their own pros and cons to the doghouse.

Floor

The floor is quite important when you do decide to choose the wooden dog house and you will need to decide between a standard floor and a raised floor. The raised floor might limit some of the space available inside, but it will keep the dog off the ground. The raised floor is not in contact with the ground, meaning it tends to stay in better shape for longer.

You will also have the choice of adding bricks underneath the dog house to allow the water to flow through. If the wood is blocking water, the water might puddle up and this will eventually damage the dog house. By lifting the doghouse, you also extend the time before the wood will start rotting.

Adding additional heat sources

The dog houses we have chosen are already designed for protection against the cold, but your dog might want a little more and this will be where you come in with additional heating. Metal heaters and heated kennel mats are great additions to keep your dog warm in the winter. However, simple thick bedding should be enough to keep the dog insulted on the inside as well.

Best products on today’s market

Looking at the reviews of others is quite timely and this is why we have already done this for you and selected the top dog houses. Armed with the above-mentioned knowledge, you can be the ultimate judge and make the final decision on which dog house will be the top option for your dog and your yard. Here are the top 7 dog houses for the winter on the market today.

Description: The ASL Solutions Insulated Dog Palace is a durable and reliable wooden dog house. The house is designed from wood and each panel has been insulated with 4-inches of foam (Styro/EPS). This keeps the dog warm on the inside and should any snow reach the sides, of the house, your dog will stay insulated in the winter, but cool in the summer.

With the raised floor, the house is kept off the floor and the dog will not need to deal with cold coming in. This also protects the wood from potential rainfall, meaning you will not need to spend as much on refurbishing the house. A self-closing door will shut as the dog exits or enters, keeping the wind from ever getting inside and ruining the heat that has built up.

Finally, the addition of cross ventilation does not require any tools and will keep the dog breathing in the heat. Previous users have claimed that the doghouse is large enough for 2 fully-grown boxers to be inside.

This dog house is quite affordable for all the features you get and should be a great investment. We would recommend it to people with larger dogs and those leaving the dogs outside during the day. The only possible downside will be that it needs to be assembled, but no unusual tools are required for this.

Pros:

Durable and reliable

Insulated with 4-inches of foam

Self-closing door keeps out any wind

Large design

Cons:

The dog house needs some assembly

Related: The dog might not feel warm enough with just the foam, especially if it used to the sheets of your bed, so this is where the DP Hunter Dog Floor Heater is a great choice. With a built-in thermostat, it carefully regulates temperatures and it is water resistant for all seasons use.

Description: The Precision Pet Outback Log Exterior Dog House is designed from durable Cedar finished wood. The doghouse resembles a cabin and will be stylish to your yard. The door has been moved from the center to one of the sides, offering some additional shelter your dog. With a slanted roof, rain should not be a problem and will easily roll off.

Assembly is generally a problem, but this one is designed to assemble in three simple steps. This saves you time and you only need a few basic tools to complete the assembly process. The feet are the only part designed from plastic and it keeps the rest of the wood off the ground, thus ensuring the wood will not rot as easily as with wooden feet.

For those with bigger dogs, there are different sizes to choose from. The medium is perfect for dogs ranging between 60 and 70 pounds, with everything above or below that having a different size. The only downside is the lack of sturdiness and the dog house does feel a little wobbly at first.

We would definitely recommend this dog house to anyone with medium or small dogs. The bigger dogs tend to move it quite easily with the lack of sturdiness. The price is really affordable and should be a great investment.

Pros:

Stylish Cedar finish

Affordable price

Easy to assemble

Plastic feet keep the wood from rotting

Cons:

Lacks sturdiness

Related: The dog house itself might offer shelter but lacks some insulation. To improve the insulation of your new dog house, the Precision Pet Dog House Insulation Kit will keep the dog warm during the winter months. It can easily be removed for the summer to keep your dog ventilated.

Description: The Petmate Indigo Dog House is constructed from heavy-duty plastic and will not rot or get damaged when not treated with protection products. The igloo design is quite stylish and the extra-large is perfect for up to 3 dogs.

Microban technology is quite new and has been incorporated on the inside. This will reduce some of the odors and ensure that no stains are left on the plastic. To wash this dog house, you simply need to spray it down with the hosepipe and wait for it to dry in the sun.

The plastic can easily be assembled and no tools are required. All of the pieces will simply clip into place and remain intact. On top, the roof is designed to keep the wind and water out and for the summer months, it offers optimal ventilation as well. The one downside is the weight and because of the lightweight, it can be moved quite easily by the dogs.

We would definitely recommend this to multi-dog households. The doghouse is not only perfect for outside but with the Microban technology that reduces odors, it can be used inside as well.

Description: The Our Pet’s Tuff-N-Rugged Dog House is constructed from durable heavy-duty plastic. It is quite lightweight and can be assembled without any tools being used. Since the construction is plastic, you will be able to easily wipe or hose it down to clean it and keep any odors from getting out.

This dog house features double wall construction and it has been tested to keep dogs up to 10 times more insulated than single wall dog houses. The roof also comes off when you might be looking for the dog and plastic will be perfect for the summer months. You also do not need to worry about wood rotting.

The addition of UV protection is essential for plastic dog houses and it will keep the color from fading. This enables you to keep it in the front yard without it spoiling your lawn. However, the lack of a door is something that will allow the wind and snow inside in the winter.

For the affordable price, this will certainly be a great option for your dogs. There are multiple sizes, which accommodates virtually any dog you have. This would be the perfect dog house for your porch and we recommend keeping it out of the wind.

Pros:

Easy to clean and assemble

Double wall construction retains heat much better

UV protection keeps the color from fading

Cons:

The lack of a door lets the wind and snow come in

Related: Every dog needs a sleeper mat for better warmth and the K&H Manufacturing Crate Pad for Pets is designed from memory foam and anti odor technology. It will not only help insulted the dog house but also ensure that your dog has the maximum comfort.

Description: The ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace is one of the most advanced dog houses for the winter months. It has been designed from the same top quality plastic that is commonly used on the playgrounds for children and it includes 4 inches of ESP foam on the wall and floor.

The inside is quite large and the addition of a floor heater and fleece bed will work together to keep the dog warm and insulted in the cold winter months. A see-through window ensures the dog can sleep inside and still see what is going on outside as well.

The door will close by itself and this means that the dog will easily be able to get inside and the heat will remain trapped when he does leave the nest. This specific dog house will be perfect for medium to large-sized dogs like Labradors.

We would recommend this dog house for the porch outside. The addition of the electrical wires might not make it ideal for the rain, but it will ensure your dog stays warm. This dog house is quite expensive, but worth it when you consider the features.

Pros:

Stylish and durable design

Self-closing door

Electrical heater and fleece bed included

Includes ESP foam for better insulation

Cons:

Really expensive

Related: The Farm Innovators Cold Weather Thermo Cube is ideal if you are away for the day. It will regulate the on and off switch according to the temperatures outside. This will save you power and ensure that dog is kept warm during the coldest times.

Suncast DH250 Dog House

Description: The Suncast DH250 Dog House is constructed from durable resin plastic that is impervious to the elements. This means that it should hold up in the rain and in the sun, without losing any color or being damaged.

The inclusion of a vinyl door will help keep the wind out and the heat inside. This significantly improves the heat retention. Since it is so large, one might think that it will be tough to assemble, but this dog house can be assembled without any additional tools.

The inside might not be the best for the winter temperatures, but if you add some cushioning, the house should be ideal for your canine friend. This doghouse is really affordable and we would definitely recommend it for multi-dog households in the summer months.

Pros:

Durable resin construction

Impervious to the elements

Really cheap

Easy to assemble

Cons:

Walls are very thin

Related: If you have bigger dogs, you might consider the Suncast DH350 Dog House. It is a little bigger and made from the same materials. The doghouse also includes adjustable letters above the entrance that could be used to spell your dog’s name.

Description: Last but certainly not least, we have the Precision Pet Outback Log Exterior Dog House in a larger size. This dog house is similar to the previous one and is also made from durable wood with a Cedar finish. The doghouse is constructed with an off-center entrance that will provide some additional shelter for your dog.

The doghouse is also quite easy to assemble, but since it is much bigger, you might need some help with some of the parts. A raised floor keeps the dog house off the ground and the plastics feet will ensure that the wood stays protected and will not rot.

This dog house is quite affordable for the price and we would definitely recommend it for the value it provides. You might need to add a few heating items for your dog, but this will be ideal for various conditions. We would recommend this specific model to bigger dogs.

Pros:

Extremely durable and stylish

Really affordable

Plastic feet protect the wood

Off-center entrance gives more shelter

Cons:

Lacks insulation

Related: You will need to improve the insulation on this dog house if you are to get the best heat retention for your dog. The Precision Pet Outback Dog House Door is perfect and will easily fit over the entrance.

Wrap Up

The winter is around the corner and it is essential that you keep your canine friend warm. A great dog house is a perfect way to keep them outside and not feel bad about them having to deal with the conditions.

Choosing between wood and plastic should be one of your main concerns, but the most affordable dog house is not necessarily the best. These dog houses should all do the trick and if you add a few additional heating accessories, you and your dog will easily get through the winter.

We would like to thank you for reading this article and we would like to know more about your opinion. So what do you think of this list of winter dog houses? Did you find one that fits your needs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

John Walton lives in Somerville, MA, with his two dogs, two sons, and very understanding mate. He is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a mentor trainer for the Animal Behavior College, an AKC Certified CGC Evaluator, and the Training Director for the New England Dog Training Club.

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